Brevard County, FL Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Pools/spas
- Reclaimed water may not fill them
- Well buffer
- 75 feet from potable water wells
- Permit
- Reuse permit required for all uses
- New development
- Lines required in designated reuse districts
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 60 days jail
Summary
Unincorporated Brevard County restricts reclaimed (reuse) water to irrigation, fire protection and similar outdoor uses under Chapter 110: never for drinking, indoor use, or filling pools, hot tubs, or spas.
Reclaimed water may be used for the irrigation of crops not intended for human consumption; residential lawns; golf courses; cemeteries; parks; landscaped areas; highway medians and rights-of-way; or for any other purpose specifically approved by the director.(b)Reclaimed water may be used for fire protection; toilet flushing in nonresidential building; and for irrigation of edible, commercially market crops, only with the written permission of the director.(c)Reclaimed water may not be used inside of any residential dwelling, or to fill swimming pools, hot tubs, spas or wading pools.(d)There shall be a buffer distance of 75 feet from the edge of the wetted area of a reclaimed water irrigation system to shallow, potable, water supply wells.(e)Reclaimed water shall not be applied to impervious surfaces that allow drainage to surface waters. Reclaimed water shall not be applied to properties containing subsurface drainage tiles or plates.(f)All uses of reclaimed water shall require a reuse permit, issued by the water resources department, following procedures established by the director. (Code 1979, § 23-150; Ord. No. 97-26, § 5, 7-22-97)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Brevard County's water resources department supplies reclaimed water, treated wastewater effluent, for irrigation, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, medians, and other approved outdoor uses in designated reuse districts of unincorporated Brevard. New subdivisions, residential, commercial and industrial developments within a reuse district must install reclaimed water lines alongside sanitary sewer lines (§ 110-308). Every connection requires a reuse permit from the department (§ 110-319(f)). Reclaimed water may never be used inside a dwelling or to fill pools, hot tubs, spas, or wading pools, and irrigation systems must keep a 75-foot buffer from potable wells. Incorporated cities such as Cocoa, Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay run their own separate utility systems.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 110's reclaimed water provisions is punishable under the county's general penalty: up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail, with each day a separate offense; the county may also seek an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use reclaimed water to fill my pool in unincorporated Brevard County?
Do new homes in a reuse district have to connect to the reclaimed water system?
How close can reclaimed water irrigation be to a drinking water well?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida water use rules overview
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